Bucket game

ABSTRACT

A bucket is provided having a lower cylinder or truncated cone and a bottom. A lid is secured to the lower cylinder by for example a locking hinge. The locking hinge includes a first leaf secured to the lid and a second leaf secured to the lower cylinder. The first leaf and the second leaf define cooperating knuckles through which a pin extends. The pin further defines at least one tongue and the knuckles further define at least one cooperating groove: in an unlocked orientation, the tongue is not secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are free to pivot about the pin; in a locked orientation, the tongue is secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are not free to pivot about the pin. The lid in an open position is in an approximately 90° orientation from the plan of a top opening of the bucket.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to games of amusement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball and softball are bat-and-ball games played between two teams who take turns batting and fielding (when used herein, the terms “baseball” and “softball” are used interchangeable). The batting team attempts to score runs by hitting a ball that is thrown by the pitcher with a bat swung by the batter, then running counter-clockwise around a series of four bases. A run is scored when a player advances around the bases and returns to the final base, home plate. Players on the batting team take turns hitting against the pitcher of the fielding team, which tries to prevent runs by getting hitters out in any of several ways. The teams switch between batting and fielding whenever the fielding team records three (3) outs.

However, since its height of popularity just after the turn of the 20^(th) Century the popularity of baseball has declined. One theory is that the pace of the game simply does not mesh with the new generation's attention span. In an age of instant gratification, today's fans desire entertainment that is fast paced and straightforward. Baseball, conversely, is a deliberative game whose power lies in the accumulation and appreciation of moments. Many fans are not willing to devote the requisite mental energy demanded by a nuanced game such as baseball.

Thus, what would be desirable would be a mechanism by which baseball players—particularly those of young age—to entertain and amuse themselves during the downtimes of practice or the playing of baseball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bucket in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables baseball players to entertain and amuse themselves during the downtimes of practice or the playing of baseball. A bucket in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes a lower cylinder or truncated cone and a bottom. A lid is secured to the lower cylinder by for example a locking hinge. The locking hinge includes a first leaf secured to the lid and a second leaf secured to the lower cylinder. The first leaf and the second leaf define cooperating knuckles through which a pin extends. The pin further defines at least one tongue and the knuckles further define at least one cooperating groove: in an unlocked orientation, the tongue is not secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are free to pivot about the pin; in a locked orientation, the tongue is secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are not free to pivot about the pin. The lid in an open position is in an approximately 90° orientation from the plan of a top opening of the bucket.

This Summary introduces concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description refers to the following accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an individual carrying a baseball bucket in accordance with the principals of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a baseball bucket in accordance with the principals of the present invention

FIGS. 3 and 4 are detailed views of an example securement of a lid to a cylinder in accordance with the principals of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an individual 12 carrying a baseball bucket 10 having a plurality of baseballs 14 therein in accordance with the principals of the present invention is seen. Typically, the baseball bucket 10 includes a lower cylinder or truncated cone 18, an open top, a flat bottom 20, and a handle or bail 16 which facilitates the carrying of the baseball bucket 10 by the user 12. Particularly during practice—but also during games—multiple baseballs are utilized both because of the number of baseball players on a team as well as the balls becoming used up as a result of scuffs, cuts, etc. because of the often violent forces that are exerted upon the baseball by the bats, ground, fences, etc. Thus, baseball buckets utilized solely for the transport of baseballs are generally known in the art. The baseballs 14 can be removed from the baseball bucket 10 and pitched or thrown to players usually as a warmup routine. After warm-up, the baseballs 14 are then returned to the baseball bucket 10 for storage.

It also known in the art for players when passing time during lulls in the practice or game to entertain and amuse themselves during the downtimes by playing various games, both related to improving baseball skills or simply passing the time. For example, rundown, also known as a pickle or the hotbox is a game that can be played with three players and two bases. In the game, a fielder plays near each of the two bases and the third player is a runner, who begin on any base. The fielders proceed to throw the ball to each other, playing catch. At any time, a runner may attempt to run to the next or previous base. The fielders then attempt to throw to each other and tag that runner out. The game of pepper is a game where one player hits brisk ground balls to a group of fielders who are standing close-by, Two-ball is a game designed to improve quickness, hand-eye coordination, and sharpen focus. Two-ball can be played with any number of players. The players stand in a circle, and two baseballs are tossed between the players. Each player gets three outs. An out is awarded for a bad throw or a missed catch. A player who records three outs must step out of the circle. The winner of the game is the last player remaining in the circle.

Another game played mostly to pass the time is for the players to challenge each other to toss a baseball from a distance into the baseball bucket, similarly to a game of basketball. What would be desirable would be a mechanism by which particularly baseball of young age could entertain themselves by playing the bucket game with more success.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed perspective view of a baseball bucket 10 in accordance with the principals of the present invention is seen. In addition to the lower cylinder 18, open top, flat bottom 20, and bail 16 the baseball bucket 10 of the present invention includes a lid 23 secured to the lower cylinder 18. In FIG. 2, the baseball bucket 10 of the present invention is seen in the open or game-ready orientation. In this orientation, the lid 23 of the baseball bucket 10 is in an open position, at an approximately 90θ orientation from the plan of a top opening 21 of the baseball bucket 10. In one option a gamer can succeed by directing a baseball directly into the top opening 21 of the baseball bucket 10, comparable to a direct “swish” scoring of a basketball into a basketball hoop; in addition, as a result of the incorporation of a baseball bucket 10 in accordance with the principals of the present invention the gamer can succeed by directing a baseball 27 directly against the opened lid 23 and into the top opening 21 of the baseball bucket 10, comparable to a “bank shot” scoring of a basketball into a basketball hoop, in a part as depicted in FIG. 2 by the scored line. In an additional aspect in accordance with the principals of the present invention the baseball bucket 10 can have a weighted bottom to keep the baseball bucket 10 grounded as the balls are tossed into the baseball bucket 10. The weight will be sufficient to keep the baseball bucket 10 grounded as the balls are tossed into the baseball bucket but not too heavy as to unreasonably add to the weight of the bucket. In an embodiment a weight is added to the front bottom of the bucket so the bucket does not tip over when balls hit the “backboard”.

As previously mentioned, the baseball bucket 10 of the present invention includes a lid 23 secured to the lower cylinder 18. One drawback of a typical securement of the lid 23 to the lower cylinder 18 such as for example by a standard hinge is that upon the baseball 27 striking the lid 23 the force of the baseball will in most instances result in the lid 23 recoiling and shutting, thus forcing a gamer to approach the baseball bucket 10 to “reset” the lid 23. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with an additional aspect in accordance with the principals of the present invention a securement is provided that removable “locks” the lid 23 in an open or game-ready orientation.

In the example depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a locking hinge 30 can be provided. The example locking hinge 30 can include a first leaf 32 which can be secured to the lid 23 and a second leaf 34 which can be secured to the lower cylinder 18. The first leaf 32 and the second leaf 34 can be secured to the lid 23 and to the lower cylinder 18 by a suitable securement, such as for example screws 36.

The first leaf 32 and the second leaf 34 of the example locking hinge 30 can also define cooperating knuckles 38 through which a pin 41 extends. In the example locking hinge 30 of FIGS. 3 and 4 the pin 41 further defines at least one tongue 43 and the knuckles 38 further define at least one cooperating groove 45. Thus, in the unlocked orientation depicted in FIG. 3 the tongue 43 is not secured in the cooperating grove 45 and the knuckles 38 are free to pivot about the pin 41; in the locked orientation depicted in FIG. 4 the pin 41 is moved in the direction seen by arrow “A” and the tongue 43 is secured in the cooperating grove 45 and the knuckles 38 are not free to pivot about the pin 41, locking the lid 23 an open or game-ready orientation. Of course, when the game is over and the user desires to once again close the lid 23 for example for transporting the baseballs 14, the pin 41 is moved in the direction opposite seen by arrow “A” and the tongue 43 is unsecured in the cooperating grove 45 and the knuckles 38 are free to pivot about the pin 41, seen by arrow “B”. While this embodiment utilizes a tongue and grove locking mechanism, in further embodiments additional locking mechanisms could be employed such as for example a spring-hinge locking mechanism.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in an additional aspect in accordance with the principals of the present invention the lid 23 of the baseball bucket 10 can be provided with a cushion 51, with the structural integrity between the closed lid 23 and the lower cylinder 18 sufficient to bear the weight of a person sitting upon the closed lid 23 and cushion 51. In one aspect in accordance with the principals of the present invention the lid cushion 51 does not cover the entire surface area of the lid, thus leaving a part of the lid exposed so that the user can grasp the lid to open and close the bucket. In another additional aspect in accordance with the principals of the present invention, the lid cushion 51 covers the entire surface area of the lid and defines a divot in it so a user could lift up on the lid.

Although the subject matter has been described with a specific implementation, other alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, while the embodiments described herein are directed to a baseball bucket alternative buckets such as for example a trash could be utilized. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, and all such alternatives, modifications, and variations are within the spirit and scope of the following claims. 

1. A baseball bucket comprising: a lower cylinder or truncated cone having a bottom; a lid secured to the lower cylinder by a locking hinge; and the lid in an open position being locked by the locking hinge in an approximately 90° orientation from the plan of a top opening of the baseball bucket.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. The baseball bucket of claim 3 further wherein the locking hinge comprises: a first leaf secured to the lid and a second leaf secured to the lower cylinder; the first leaf and the second leaf defining cooperating knuckles through which a pin extends; the pin further defining at least one tongue and the knuckles further defining at least one cooperating groove; whereby in an unlocked orientation the tongue is not secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are free to pivot about the pin; further whereby in a locked orientation the tongue is secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are not free to pivot about the pin.
 5. The baseball bucket of claim 1 further including a handle or bail.
 6. The baseball bucket of claim 1 further wherein the baseball bucket has a weighted bottom to keep the baseball bucket grounded as the balls are tossed into the baseball bucket.
 7. The baseball bucket of claim 1 further wherein the baseball bucket is provided with a sitting cushion.
 8. The baseball bucket of claim 7 further wherein the sitting cushion does not cover the entire surface area of the lid.
 9. The baseball bucket of claim 7 further wherein the sitting cushion covers substantially the entire surface area of the lid, the lid defining a divot so a user can lift up on the lid.
 10. The baseball bucket of claim 1 further wherein the bucket comprises a baseball bucket.
 11. A baseball bucket comprising: a lower cylinder or truncated cone having a bottom; a lid secured to the lower cylinder by a locking hinge, the lid in an open position locked by the locking hinge in an approximately 90° orientation from the plan of a top opening of the baseball bucket; the locking hinge having a first leaf secured to the lid and a second leaf secured to the lower cylinder; the first leaf and the second leaf defining cooperating knuckles through which a pin extends; the pin further defining at least one tongue and the knuckles further defining at least one cooperating groove; whereby in an unlocked orientation the tongue is not secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are free to pivot about the pin; further whereby in a locked orientation the tongue is secured in the cooperating grove and the knuckles are not free to pivot about the pin.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The baseball bucket of claim 11 further including a handle or bail.
 14. The baseball bucket of claim 11 further wherein the baseball bucket has a weighted bottom to keep the baseball bucket grounded as the balls are tossed into the baseball bucket.
 15. The baseball bucket of claim 11 further wherein the baseball bucket is provided with a sitting cushion.
 16. The baseball bucket of claim 15 further wherein the sitting cushion does not cover the entire surface area of the lid.
 17. The baseball bucket of claim 16 further wherein the sitting cushion covers substantially the entire surface area of the lid, the lid defining a divot so a user can lift up on the lid.
 18. (canceled) 